South Africa's most wanted Zimbabwean re-arrested

One of South Africa's most wanted criminals, Bongani Moyo, was arrested in Johannesburg on Sunday night following his second escape this year, Gauteng police said.

"Moyo was arrested in Hillbrow just after 10pm," Brigadier Neville Malila said.

"He was in a car with two other Zimbabwean nationals when police caught them," he said.

They have been charged with harbouring a wanted criminal.

Moyo, who has allegedly been linked to more than 35 bank robberies, escaped from the Pretoria Regional Court earlier this month.

He was on crutches at the time of his escape, not locked in a cell or wearing shackles.

According to police, Moyo was sitting between courts 16 and 17 and escaped through court 16. Two investigating officers and two policemen were since suspended from their duties at the court.

Malila said his arrest was made after investigators followed leads received from community members.

"They used information to track him down, and all three of them co-operated under duress," he said.

In March, the 29-year-old escaped from Boksburg Prison. He was then arrested near the Beitbridge border post in Limpopo, after returning from his native country, Zimbabwe.

"He has been charged with the 35 bank robberies, as well as the two escapes," Malila said.

Moyo will spend the night in a high risk facility in Johannesburg, before his appearance at a Pretoria court on Monday.